Charla M. Hughes, 60, passed away Friday, March 23, 2018 at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center.
Mass of Christian Burial: 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 28th at St. Louis Catholic Church, 2001 N 25th St. where Father Timothy Vaverek will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m., with the Rosary being recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend.
Charla was born November 9, 1957, in Waco, a daughter of Charles and Doris Montgomery. She married David Hughes on June 18, 1982 in Waco.
Charla is survived by her husband, David, and their three children and their families: daughter, Megan Belknap of Frisco, and her husband, Chris, and their three daughters, Ella, Caroline and Abigail; daughter, Whitney Carter of Axtell, and her husband, Ronny, and their two children, Hannah and Eli; and son, Trenton Hughes of Friendswood, and his wife, Meagan, and their daughter, Adeline.
She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Kathie and Ed Robnett of Waco; and brother, Michael Montgomery of Waco.
Charla was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved grandparents, Laura and Odell McCawley.
She was educated in Axtell schools and attended MCC where she obtained her degree in nursing. For over 40 years, she lovingly cared for thousands of Waco residents, providing them with the same compassionate care she would have given her own family. She was especially proud of her years serving in hospice and palliative care, where she offered so many patients and their families comfort and reassurance during the final stages of life.
Charla was passionate about her family, and she especially relished her role as grandmother. She loved attending her grandchildren’s games and performances and celebrated in their many accomplishments. She spent countless hours preparing for her famous “Nana & Papa Camp” held every summer and decorating her home to ensure the holidays were magical for her grandchildren.
A lifelong Catholic, Charla put God first in her life. She was, above all, a faithful servant and always looked to Him for guidance throughout her life. She loved to share her faith with family, friends, and patients.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House, a place of joyful solace throughout Charla’s life.
Contact Information: Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Print Obituary & Condolences
David and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Charla. This picture of her tells who she was–a beautiful soul. I worked with her in home care and just loved her–how could you not. You and your family are in my prayers.
Hope Dominguez-Reese
My deepest condolences to my dear friend and colleague family. I was very fortunate to have met and shared our offices, lunches every other day. Charla was and has always been a great,kind hearted person with such a sincere heart who I am going to truly miss. Her great smile and infectious laughter always brighten up the room , she always showed such an abundance of love for her family and friends . I was blessed to have met this angel on earth so I say not good by but I will see you later my dear friend.
Charla will forever be missed. Her smile, her kindness and her passion for providing outstanding care to all she cared for. Go Rest In Peace sweet friend for your so deserving. Job here on earth well done.
I am still in disbelief that my long time friend is gone from this earth. I will miss her hugs after mass!!! Prayers for her entire family during this bittersweet time.
Sharon Stone Hammond
David, I was so sorry to hear from your wife. I wanted to express our condolences to you and your family.
So very sorry for your loss. May God Bless you and your family through this difficult time. Please accept my condolences.
Papa David, Whitney and siblings, and family: The Amy family has been so blessed to know Charla for the few years we have. She always expressed her love and appreciation for us and everytime we saw her – her smile reached from ear to ear. Speaking for Keith, Lauryn and Katelyn – I want to send our heartfelt love and prayers for peace and comfort. She is watching you all from Heaven – a place where angels like her belong!
My Prayers for family. Charla and I were great friends thin our school yrs. haven’t seen her in yrs now. But always had a place in my heart for her and Mike. Great people. My heart hurts for u Mike and family.
Dear precious family of Charla,
I’m sorry I never got to chat much about personal lives at work in the harried timeframe, but I want you to know your loved one was one of the best! Thank you for sharing her with the many whose lives she touched with her kindness and great competence and the love of Jesus. Including mine. I have been praying all weekend for all of you in your shock and grief. Unimaginable and surreal. For abundant grace and strength and comfort that only your faith in the truth of God can cover you with. May He embrace you and grant you grace.
I had the pleasure of know Charla and working with her at Hillcrest homecare and hospice. She was a consement professional with a heart for everyone she cared for. Her beautiful smile, her patience for everyone she encountered were gifts from God. She will be missed by so many. I’m so very sorry for your families loss. Stephanie Bland, PTA
What a beautiful person Charla was- inside and out. I absolutely loved watching her work and she taught me so much about hospice when we worked together. I loved her knowledge and her compassion. She taught so many and touched so many lives in her career as a nurse. I was saddened when I heard of her passing, the medical community has lost an amazing nurse. Sincere condolences to the Hughes family.
I met Charla when we both worked at Providence Health Center and we became fast friends! She was an excellent nurse with a heart of gold and an energetic can-do attitude. We kept in touch after she began working in hospice. My most tender memory of her is that she was with my father the day he died in the hospice unit.
Rest in peace, dear Charla. You made a difference in many people’s lives.
I worked with Charla at both Providence and DePaul over the years. Her ability to encourage & empower her clients and co-workers was second to none. Her compassion for others and a never-ending smile that could light the world, are what I will always remember about her. My prayers are with her family.
So sad to hear of Charla’s passing, she was truly an angel here on Earth. My family lived across the street from the Montgomerys on Herring, we continued to be close, close friends when they moved to the lake. Charla was VERY much a part of our family and I feel as if I’ve lost a sister. She was such a sweet person and I know what a hole she will leave in so many peoples lives. My deepest sympathies to David, Whitney, Trenton, Megan, Mike and Kathie. Charla talked about her grandchildren so much I know they will miss her deeply, please remember you’ll always have a guardian angel looking over you now.
Charla will be deeply missed on this earth, she had the heart of an angel. The light and twinkle in her eyes and her beautiful smile will be forever in the hearts of people who knew her. Our deepest sympathy to her family.
Charla truly was a beautiful soul! She lit up a room with her smile and she was always kind and gracious to all she met. She loved her family beyond measure and spoke of them all the time! Her grand babies were her loves!! I enjoyed working with her and being around her. Her earthly being will be missed terribly but if you knew her you know she is dancing in Heaven and loving every moment of that!! God bless her family in this time of loss.
Hughes Family,
My deepest and most sincere of condolences. I had the pleasure of working with Charla at Hillcrest/Baylor S&W. Never have I encountered such a more compassionate and kind soul. Charla was ever available to her patients and coworkers. Bless you my sweet friend.
The Hughes Family,
Charla was such a beautiful person. Mom worked with Mrs. Montgomery and I met Charla when we were younger. I loved to spend the weekend at their home in Axtell. So many fun memories. Such a kind and loving woman. She helped me deal with moving my mom into an assisted living facility a few years ago. Her prayers and kind words helped sustain me. She was a true blessing. Now she is a true angel in Heaven. Prayers for her family.
I am so sadden to hear about Charla’s passing. Charla was a very beautiful person, inside and out. I loved her smile, her encouraging words, her love of God and her love for others. She was a very special person who made differences in each and everyone’s life. I can remember our days at Axtell… she was always giving her all and best to everything. She had a genuine heart. She lived her whole with grace. Even though they were few in-between, I’m so appreciative of the momentsthat she and I had. We lost a beautiful soul here, but Heaven got a beautiful angel. Prayers for her family and the many friends that loved her.
The many kind words and heartfelt condolences you read here attest to the wonderful person Charla was. I was fortunate and blessed to have known her and my prayers go out to her family, friends, and all her colleagues. May God bring you peace during your loss.
It was very hard to hear about Charla. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out. My thoughts and prayers are with her entire family.
David, Ron and i are so sorry for the loss of your precious wife Charla. She sounds like a wonderful woman who was loved by all and will be missed by everyone who knew her. May the Lord give you and your family peace and comfort in your time of heartbreak and loss and help to heal your hearts one day at a time and know that she is in Heaven with him looking down on all of her family, her loves, watching over you all until you can be together again. Love Toni and Ron Dodson.
Hughes Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Charla was great to me growing up. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Hughes family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Charla and I worked together at S &W hospice. She truely was made for giving to others and helping. She will be missed by so many. I will continue to pray for you you and your family!
I AM SO SORRY FOR YOU GUYS LOST CHARLA WAS ALWAYS SMILING AND VERY KIND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL
I am so sorry for your loss, Carla was one in a million. I just had a wonderful visit with her a few weeks ago. Carla and I started out in nursing together, and we have been friends since 1982. It took my breath away when I hear the new. Carla always took me along whenever she got a new job back in the day. She always made sure I had a home care job. Carla was a wonderful person, Heaven has gain an angle and we have lose one. I truly loved Carla, she was a very beautiful person, inside and out.
I will miss her. Be strong in your faith, all of our help comes from the Lord.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Charla was such a kind sweet soul, with a radiant smile for everyone she met. She truly will be missed, even by those who never knew her.
So sorry for your loss of a truly beautiful person. Worked with her and never forgot what a kind heart her had. She was also our Hospice nurse when my Mother was dying. She eased our loss when Mother passed away. To have a such a wonderful friend with us made our loss easier. Charla was a precious person. Love to you David and the family
I was one of the very fortunate people to have known and loved Charla. The nursing world will truly miss this beautiful soul. She always had a smile and a kind word to say. Love you my sweet friend. Rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Gracie Jenkins RN
I was so sad and shocked to hear of Charla’s passing. I knew her so well when she worked for Providence HHC and Hospice. She was such a loving person and I know she will be missed by so many. I do remember a big picnic at Charla and David’s house when they roasted a whole pig. Whitney, you were so special to her. We used to talk about our daughters so much. Prayers for you all. The Lord is holding you in His hands. If anyone loved her Lord, it was Charla. She invited me to a retreat one time. Now sorry I didn’t go with her.
Anne Harris
Hughes Family,
Charla was indeed an angel of presence to so many, including my parents (Felix and Bernice) and our family upon my dad’s death last year. I know she served in so many ministries at St. Joseph’s when she attended there. Well done Charla – beautiful and faithful servant! Holding you and your family in prayer as you grieve her loss and celebrate her life.
My deepest condolences. I never had the privilege of meeting Charla face to face but was blessed to have worked closely with her on the phone. Always so polite and upbeat. You could tell her passion to care for patients. I will miss her voice.
Cathy Bradburry, LVN
What a sad loss for us left on earth. Charla was a lovely person, inside and out. I remember her from Providence when she worked in HHC/Hospice. I saw her and chatted w her on occasion in the ED and throughout the hospital. More recently I started working at BSWH. When I saw her familiar face, I was so surprised she remembered me, and it was fun to catch up with her. My prayers and condolences go out to her family. Thank you for sharing her w us!
Kristin Hill
David. Whitney.So sorry to hear about the lost of Charla. she was a very special person in my heart. She was sweet in side and out. Very kind can not put it in to words. She is the type of person that if you need something, she will give it to you, She will do without for her self to help others. David you and Charla both treated people like family. that’s what so sweet about both of you’se. Charla you are going to very well miss.You will always be in mt heart. love you and miss you. Got to meet Charla at the hospital. where we work. even though we were in different departments. she was always cheerful loved her job spending time with her grandchildren.You will be missed.
I will forever miss your sweet smiling face at the hospital. I will miss you my friend. You were truly an angel on earth.
Charla was a wonderful person inside and outside. Always so giving to everyone even if it was just a smile or a few kind words of wisdom or support. She loved Hospice and Palliative care and she would always express to me that she was living out her dream job. I am so fortunate to have to come to know Charla as a professional, individual but most of all as a Christian friend. Her Christian values, family and friends were most special to her and she would do anything she could to help anyone. I will greatly miss her and hearing her laughter that injected peace and hope to anyone. She always knew the right words to say to her patients that everyone loved her for her sincerity. Our God has taken a awesome person and now the heaven will have many parties just to have there in heaven. Miss you my friend and our lunch date will always be pending. Thank you to the Hughes family for sharing her with me and all of the other people that knew her. My prayers will continue for peace and support from God Almighty.
Ana M. Pevia
I was shocked to read. Charla’s death in the paper since I had just seen her a few days before, and she was so vibrant and enthusiastic. She will be missed at Hillcrest for her service and friendship. She was always a friend to our PUP dog’s whenever we saw her in the hallways.
Jo Ann Uptmor
I worked with Charla many years back through Providence HHC and DePaul. I will never forget her kindness to everyone. I’m so sorry for this family’s loss but Heaven absolutely gained an angel. Prayers for your comfort.
Dear Hughes family,
Charla was a wonderful, caring personas nurse. Her office was on 5 north when she was the hospice coordinator at the hospital before she went to palliative care. I loved stopping by and visiting her . I will do miss running into her on the cafeteria and her sincere smile. God bless all of you. I can only imagine your loss. Kim Collier
Hey Uncle David and Cousin Whitney. I am so sorry to hear about Aunt Charla. She looks exactly how I remember her in the picture. I will never forget you guys teaching me to ride a bike at your house back in the day. Charla always had a positive attitude and clearly helped and influenced many people in her life. God bless your family and take care.
Martin Luther King Jr. — ‘It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it.’
So many memories. Most grateful for the care and kindness Charla gave to my 3 children when they moved to Axtell school and the safety she provided their first summer.